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Subscribe to RSSThe woman who triggered the downfall of General David Petraeus is speaking out for the first time, describing the harassing emails she received from Petraeus' mistress and calling the scandal as "a living nightmare." NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.
In her first interview since the scandal that led to the resignation of former CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus, Florida socialite Jill Kelley says that his biographer, Paula Broadwell, tried to blackmail her.
"There was blackmail, extortion, threats," Kelley told The Daily Beast of the "fewer than 10" anonymous emails sent to Kelley in May, which investigators later determined were sent by Broadwell.
Kelley, 37, said the messages became increasingly more threatening, though they did not explicitly tell her to stay away from Petraeus, as had previously been believed.
Kelley said she had no idea at the time who was behind the messages.
“I never met Paula in my life,” Kelley said, adding that she didn't even know that Broadwell had written a biography about Petraeus.
Kelley and her husband, who is a surgeon, are close friends of the Petraeus family. She was a volunteer social liaison to the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., where she often hosted parties for top brass.
"I knew I was being stalked," Kelley said. "I did what anybody else would have done when they were feeling threatened, to go seek protection from somebody I could trust."
T. Ortega Gaines/The Charlotte Observer; Chris O'Meara/AP
File photos show Gen. David Petraeus' biographer and paramour Paula Broadwell, left, and Florida socialite Jill Kelley.
Kelley's complaint to the FBI led to an investigation, which began in June 2012 and revealed that Broadwell had sent the emails. Investigators also uncovered evidence of Broadwell's affair with Petraeus, which ended in July 2012. Petraeus resigned his post on Nov. 7.
Soon after, federal officers began investigating U.S. General John Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and nominated to be NATO's supreme allied commander, after it was revealed that he had exchanged numerous emails with Kelley, some of which were described as "inappropriate."
Kelley told The Daily Beast that she was celebrating her daughter's seventh birthday when the media descended on her, after her identity as the tipster who led to Petraeus' downfall became public.
“It was devastating,” Kelley said. “To have your privacy invaded is truly—there are no words to describe it. Instead of enjoying a family birthday party, I had paparazzi storming my front lawn, pushing down the door. There are no words to describe the panic and fear at that moment.”
Kelley declined last month to press charges against Broadwell over the emails and federal prosecutors closed the case.
But Kelley said her image continued to suffer through half-truths and lies reported in the media.
“As much as I appreciate that they want to be the first one to come out with a headline, regardless of whether they did any fact-checking, they have to consider the impact they have on our life and our children’s lives,” she said. “Just because it’s repeated doesn't make it true. It was living a nightmare.”
Related content:
Broadwell, Kelley both were repeat White House visitors, official says
As their secret dissolved, Petraeus, Broadwell chatted at awards dinner
Email to Gen. Allen warning about Kelley among those she gave to the FBI
As FBI investigated Petraeus, he and Allen waded into nasty child custody fight
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She needs to stop wearing that awful pink outfit that makes her look like she has four nipples.
Poor Jill Kelley. She's really the victim in all of this, seeing as how she lost her coveted "diplomatic immunity" and all :\
I had been enjoying following this real life soap opera, it's a shame the whole cast of characters hasn't been picked up for some seedy reality show.
Meanwhile...let's see what's happening with Honey Boo Boo...
I was thinking that too. I was also wondering if a socialite was a social person, but with less taste/calories.
Why are we still talking about these women. They are not important, talented or relevant. Drop the whole thing. It seems that Ms. Kelly thinks and wants to continue to think she is a celebrity. NOT! Do everyone a favor and stop following these women and their sorry stories. No one cares. B
Isn't their 15 minutes of fame expired yet?
StMiller ....
Too funny! That or NBC needs to find a different picture! So agreed, her 15 minutes are UP!
4 Side winders, again. Please stop showing these people.
Why exactly was she receiving "innapropriate e-mails" from General Allen. Is her famous surgeon husband sticking his head in the sand and not acknowledging his wife was most likely cheating on him. The paparazzi on her lawn is a problem but General Allens hitch-cock up her cooz is what, a minor distraction and certainly not something that will affect her children's well being. Cheaters are the scum of the earth who should die a thousand deaths by plague...
The greasy, scum-bag media needs to be prevented from hiding like the cowards they are behind the 1st Amendment, and start being held accountable for the lives the destroy unnecessarily in their zealous pursuit of a story.
Paula needs a better hair style---look where here hair starts-maybe thats from pulling it out over the prospect of getting caught in her affair----she got off scott free----I hope the Mrs. sues her--and leaves the old goat-and takes everything she can----
Skanky classless broad. Worst part is they're still living for free in their "mansion" after the foreclosure. Who gets to do that?
Kane - that's where the they guys come in for a landing....
WHY? is this news?
Kelley skank always looks like she smells something bad.
Jill.........your not paranoid..........they actually are following you. Sorry just kidding your just crazy.
Snooki can help you with that.
Huh?! Was being stalked the last thing on your wish list before home wrecking?
There, now your silly little "wanna be life" is complete. Next time you need a hobby, try bowling or lawn darts! Oh, and one more thing, if you think your a victim of a crime, call a COP like the rest of us, not the FBI!!
rryingconcealed
The greasy, scum-bag media needs to be prevented from hiding like the cowards they are behind the 1st Amendment, and start being held accountable for the lives the destroy unnecessarily in their zealous pursuit of a story.
================================================
..........Let me take a guess, you're a greasy, scum-bag socialite from Tampa who thinks money gives you the privilege of being greasy and scum-baggy without being subjected to criticism from those with a better sense of ethical behavior than you have, right?
Do garbage collectors stalk?
When I look at the pictures of those two women, I can't help but think that Petraeus spent way toooooooooooo much time in the field, I mean, they aren't exactly Julianne Hough, so why throw your career away over that, I sure as hell wouldn't have.
SInce when is "socialite" legitimately given as somebody's profession? I suppose we can say "charity fundraiser" or something. Wasn't she a fake ambassador or something?
These two seriously just need to go away. If it's any comfort, some senior Chinese communist official, Yi Junqing - in charge of Marxist propaganda funnily enough, was just canned - for basically the exact same thing. He had a torrid affair with his biographer and staffer.. who apparently released the "unauthorized" version onto the internets. The woman is, like Broadwell, academically very talented and a post-doc fellow working in Yi's office. She got mad when she found out her boss had other mistresses. You can't make this stuff up...
Mmmmmm......... four nipples. Might not be all bad.
Did they even bother to proof read this?
In essance, what she's really saying is she almost got caught?
Isn't some right-wing conspiracy zealot already saying she's a radical muslim spy sent to take down top people in the Pentagon? Well, she just might be...
Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't cows have four nipples?
These woman look like men. Are you serious? A man brings down our top generals? Please.
Sorry db2- they have teats. But it is the thought that counts.
Wil said: "..........Let me take a guess, you're a greasy, scum-bag socialite from Tampa who thinks money gives you the privilege of being greasy and scum-baggy without being subjected to criticism from those with a better sense of ethical behavior than you have, right?"
If you believe the media has "a better sense of ethical behavior" than the average citizen, then you need to pull your head out of your arse and switch from that liberal Kool-Aid you consume too much of, to something that makes you less stupid.
I've never seen a group of people try so hard to force their point of view home as you liberals (go ahead and say you're not a liberal now), even if it means the stuff you spew out of your mouth is beyond ridiculous.
Journalists used to fact check their stories. Not anymore, just be the first no mater the cost. Sad.
I know, and chimney sweeps used to be adorable little cheeky chaps like in Mary Poppins.
What the hell are you talking about? How do you fact check something like an alleged affair? An accusation by the way, importantly, that didn't originate with the press it originated with Paula Broadwell. The way the story unfolded has nothing to do with the media and everything to do with stupid people doing stupid things.
As with Jill Kelley, stop blaming "The Media" for everything.
Fact checking means checking with the official story from the White House.
Editors used to edit our mistakes in grammar and spelling too, but now the papers are FULL of mistakes.
Hmmmm, lot of wealthy butt smoochers here.
Apparently the picture was taken on a cold, nippley day!
Damn you made me go back up to the article and look. (I thought I was above that but I guess not)
I like Jill Kelley, cuz she's kinda smelly.
About the pink dress that makes Smelly Kelly look like she got 4 nipples; Nice nipple shot. I enjoy Nipple Clusters. She can Petray me anytime.
I really had to think about saying something here about this, but I realized that I just had to, I mean, it really does get right down into the gutter, but I can't help but think that someone who supposedly has a lot of money, a socialite, Republican Convention attendee, can't do better than to wear clothes whose cuts and stitiching look like something right off the rack at Walmart. As far as the nipples go, you have to ask Clark Griswold, he is the acclaimed expert ever since "Christmas Vacation". Ya'll have a very good day.
Again with this bimbo?!? The media must be desparate. Really... so tired of this woman and tired of Lance Armstrong and tired of the Kardashians. How about a story of some volunteer doing good things in their community... a story about real people. Does nbc really think we're so shallow that we care about people like Kelly?
She was a volunteer in her community...look how that worked out:)
She was volunterring more than her time ;)
But you did read the article.
How can she and her hubby be "close friends of the Petraeuses" but not know his biographer? That seems a little shallow for a "close friend". My close friends would know something like that. I hate to admit that I even read this article - like watching a train wreck and I can't turn away.
No Mike, I didn't read the article. i went straight to the comments so I could point out that NOBODY gives a hoot about these has-been mercenary broads. Being famous for being slutty is not something to brag about.
Apparently so because we are all here reading and commenting.
She's just lucky that the delusional psycho journalist didn't get the support of the mainstream media!
Jill who????
Stalked? Is that what they're calling it these days?
More like "poled".
These 2 women LOVE being in the news. Next goal, be in the news for something other than lying on your back. In other words, if the only way you can describe yourself is "socialite," than you have work to do in your personal life.
meh
Why is she even allowed to talk?
Please move out of Tampa...you're giving us a BAD name.
Jill Kelley looks like one of the "Real Housewives of Miami..."
I think she's more like a medium end call girl, I mean escort...
Call girl = "Socialite" , in Tampa
Why aren't you worried about your husband and children? GIVE ME A BREAK.
I hope he leaves you...and that your children learn the truth. You are a disgrace!
She wasn't the one having the affair. Why should her husband and kids leave her? As far as the FBI is concerned, Jill Kelley did absolutely nothing wrong. As a matter of fact, she actually did some good things that you hardly ever hear about. She used her influence and network contacts to convince a shock jock not to deep fry a Koran because GEN West asked her to intervene in order to prevent back lash against US Troops.
Don't be such a hater.
shanaldo...can you even read? Mrs Kelly wasn't the one having the affair...before you spew hatred...make sure you understand what you read!
can you say "FBI documented "innapropriate e-mails" from Gen Allen. Don't be naive Shanaldo.. She was bopping the brass and apparently her husband is a stooge...or he likes being cuckholed..
Ummm Skip, you didn't know that the FBI agent with whom Jill Kelly had a close relationship with, and with whom SHE contacted about concerning the emails, was taken off the case because of inappropriate behavior with her leading up to the investigation?
"As much as I appreciate that they want to be the first one to come out with a headline, regardless of whether they did any fact-checking...."
Well, that's not in the media's best interest. Actually checking facts requires actually working, and actual facts get in the way of "journalists' and their handlers' actual bias.
Oh, yeah, the "I'm innocent- I was being stalked' act. Nice story
So this hag had some clout and was able to get the FBI to investigate some e-mails, yet terrorists taking classes wanting to know only how to fly planes, but not take off or land - that's not worth investigating. Clearly, another case of who you are and who you know...
Why is this news... This woman is nothing but lieing cheating bitch...
Did you forget where you are?
This rag doesn't publish NEWS.
It's only in business to be a obuma cheerleader.
But Blonde Coyote, you are reading it and responding to it. What type of dumb azz does that make you?? And it's Obama not obuma. Loser!
B!tches be crazy. Also, nips.
Not just nips.
Nipple CLUSTERS. Much mo' bettah.
I gotta question the General's taste in women . . . as well as his integrity.
At least this one was better than his wife....somewhat
A couple of flaky military groupies. Doesn't say much for "their" generals.
slow news day I guess
Whats really important here is the fact that I'd love to see these two engaged in the butt to butt dildo slam!
God in heaven,here we go again ! Is this necessary ? Why don't you leave it to daytime TV ?
Again with these bimbos, they should be charged with treason,
Quit being a socialite.
Two bimbos go to the officer's ball to meet military officers who can give them a better future. That's the story. And it has already been done in "Officer and a Gentleman."
Obviously, she is trying to sell the story to Hollywood.